davidsanger - Mar 8, 2018 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2018
sunny and clear
great hike from Pfeiffer Burns Park up to Manuel and Cabeza Prieto
soslaw - May 4, 2014 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2014
Via Cabezo Prieto
Timing is everything. Not too hot and everything was in bloom. The descent off Manuel was so-so. Views to Ventana Double Cone and Kandlbinder were stunning.
Ze - Apr 23, 2013 10:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 23, 2013
via Cabezo Prieto ridge
beautiful hike via Andrew Molera - Post Summit - Cabezo Prieto ridge. A little brushy last mile to Manuel summit, but not terrible.
smurfer - Jan 11, 2012 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2011
greaet workout
did this sometimes in late spring. It had rained a lot and the trail had fallen away here and there. The top gets rather overgrown. This was a tougher walk than I expected and I would do it again.
And its just at the state park which you can camp at if you like.
mike9991 - Sep 29, 2011 5:11 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
Really Hot Trail
Not really knowing how long it will take and compared to the distance and height of Mission Peak, I thought that this was going to be 3 to 4 hours round trip but it ended up being almost 7 hours round trip (if we did not stop about 5-6 hours).
We wore long pants / long sleeves for this trail since it was advised due to poison oak, ticks, etc. Also, bring minimum of 3liter of water per hiker.
The first few miles had decent trail and well maintained. The last half of the trail were pretty bad with overgrown grass/weed/foliage etc. There were several section of the trail where it washed off or half gone. There were downed trees blocking the trail in the last 1/3 of the trail.
No other hiker in site but just me and my girlfriend. She is an avid hiker but this one kicked our arse. It was hot - no shade for the majority of the the trail.. There were views of the other hills/mountain but not the sea. We had several discussion whether we were going to turn around due to the heat and not enough water (I brought about 4hours worth of water). We weren't quiting so we went on to the top. We took a quick nap / rest once we got there. Nice view at the very top. Heck I even got naked just because no one was around.
I have to say, don't do it if it's hot/sunny. I wouldn't do it again since there were not much to see and the trail in some section were iffy. Also, there were many flying bugs that continuously flew around my ears which bugged me. Killed several on the way up and on the way down. So far, this kicked my asres and will choose more wisely next time. Good thing we decided not to hike Cone Peak.. That would have been a real killer. My motto is to try everything once - Cone Peak when we go there next but I'll be more prepared next time around.
The Mt Manual trail was in good shape for the first couple of miles but after that was in need of serious maintenance. Most of the trail was partially overgrown, with plenty of poison oak mixed in with the rest of the vegetation. Saw one small rattlesnake that made me cautious about charging through spots where I couldn't see my feet. Also numerous slides, slumps and down trees. The last few tenths of a mile -- after the geodetic marker at 3379' -- are completely overgrown; I had to force my way through tall shrubs that covered my skin with sticky residue and denied me any view from the summit.
Overall, though, a great outing. We hiked up through a fog bank and broke out into full sun with fabulous views of the surrounding peaks. My only regret is is that I didn't wear long pants.
Since the local, popular trails near the campsites are still closed due to slides -- Pfeiffer falls and Oak Grove trail -- I wouldn't expect the Mt Manual trail to get maintenance anytime soon.
Kaiyabear - Mar 13, 2011 12:49 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2010
Mt. Manuel
This trail is easy to follow. It is exposed to lots of sunshine as it is on the south side of the mountain and has little shade. Distant views of the Big Sur River and waterfalls below. Nice morning hike to the top. Great Pacific views and pine trees at top. Bring plenty of water.
biz - Jul 29, 2010 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2004
Many times
Probably over a dozen ascents from both Pfeiffer and East Molera. Great views from the summit.
Noondueler - May 31, 2010 11:33 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 1999
From Phieffer trailhead
I agree with Matthew Holliman. I hiked a forested trail to a high point with no perspective on what I just hiked. There were some decent views of the high peaks in the Ventana Wilderness. There was some snow too 'cause it was a cold wet winter solstice time.
We did not see one person on the trail today. The vultures were enormous, the trail overgrown, and the views were worth the effort.
SKI - Apr 6, 2010 9:21 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2010
With the Girl
A pretty hike with great foliage all the way to the top.
WickedRugged - Sep 13, 2007 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Mar 4, 2007
Manuel Peak Trail
Began at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and took the Manuel Peak trail all the way to the top. It was a perfect day, sunny and temperatures in the low 70's. The views along the exposed trail were amazing, including a great view of the Pacific at the top and Ventana Double Cone along the way.
The trail is in poor condition in many places, with a number of downed trees on the wooded segments. It is a tough hike because the first half is all uphill, no flat spots and certainly no decents. One of my favorite things about this hike is that you can see the exposed trail in the distance as you are hiking, which is pretty unique. Definitely worth it!
Began at Pfeiffer Burns in a torrential downpour that chased most hikers off the trails. After an hour the rain had stopped and the sun was out. Magnificent colors and wildflowers. A great hike.
All I can remember it was hot and brushy... I think we did this sometime in April 2002....
SFMountaineer - Apr 9, 2007 12:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2007
Climbed to the top!
Climbed the whole 10 miles round trip. Really great climb, definitely hot, but a fantastic view and great mountain, recommend!
QuailBS - Mar 6, 2007 12:20 am Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2007
Manuel Peak towards Kandlbinder
Hit the trail pretty early with Paul Danielson. As we were coming up the switchbacks, the sun rose over pine ridge and it turned out to be a gorgeous day. See trip report for route beyond Manuel Peak.
metasyn11 - Mar 2, 2007 3:19 am Date Climbed: Mar 1, 2007
East Molera Trail -> Post Summit -> Manuel Peak -> Mt Manuel Trail
A delightful hike with 1-3" of snow above 3000'. Fantastic winter views along with the first of the wildflowers. Saw a mountain lion on my way up Post Summit!
Frankly45 - Nov 5, 2006 1:37 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2006
Manuel Peak
A beautiful day to overlook Big Sur and the ocean
Travis_ - Oct 23, 2006 1:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2006
Beautiful Hike
A great hike with my daugter and wife. Seemed to go on and on. It cleared just as we reached the top for a Beuatiful view.
sierramtngoat - Jun 16, 2006 8:43 am Date Climbed: May 12, 2002
Manuel Peak Trail
Hiked with Maria. The trail seemed quite long an non-direct. We did see some condors in flight however which made it very worth the suffering in extreme heat that day. The summit ridge has very nice views of the ocean.
davidsanger - Mar 8, 2018 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2018
sunny and cleargreat hike from Pfeiffer Burns Park up to Manuel and Cabeza Prieto
soslaw - May 4, 2014 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 4, 2014
Via Cabezo PrietoTiming is everything. Not too hot and everything was in bloom. The descent off Manuel was so-so. Views to Ventana Double Cone and Kandlbinder were stunning.
Ze - Apr 23, 2013 10:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 23, 2013
via Cabezo Prieto ridgebeautiful hike via Andrew Molera - Post Summit - Cabezo Prieto ridge. A little brushy last mile to Manuel summit, but not terrible.
smurfer - Jan 11, 2012 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2011
greaet workoutdid this sometimes in late spring. It had rained a lot and the trail had fallen away here and there. The top gets rather overgrown. This was a tougher walk than I expected and I would do it again.
And its just at the state park which you can camp at if you like.
mike9991 - Sep 29, 2011 5:11 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
Really Hot TrailNot really knowing how long it will take and compared to the distance and height of Mission Peak, I thought that this was going to be 3 to 4 hours round trip but it ended up being almost 7 hours round trip (if we did not stop about 5-6 hours).
We wore long pants / long sleeves for this trail since it was advised due to poison oak, ticks, etc. Also, bring minimum of 3liter of water per hiker.
The first few miles had decent trail and well maintained. The last half of the trail were pretty bad with overgrown grass/weed/foliage etc. There were several section of the trail where it washed off or half gone. There were downed trees blocking the trail in the last 1/3 of the trail.
No other hiker in site but just me and my girlfriend. She is an avid hiker but this one kicked our arse. It was hot - no shade for the majority of the the trail.. There were views of the other hills/mountain but not the sea. We had several discussion whether we were going to turn around due to the heat and not enough water (I brought about 4hours worth of water). We weren't quiting so we went on to the top. We took a quick nap / rest once we got there. Nice view at the very top. Heck I even got naked just because no one was around.
I have to say, don't do it if it's hot/sunny. I wouldn't do it again since there were not much to see and the trail in some section were iffy. Also, there were many flying bugs that continuously flew around my ears which bugged me. Killed several on the way up and on the way down. So far, this kicked my asres and will choose more wisely next time. Good thing we decided not to hike Cone Peak.. That would have been a real killer. My motto is to try everything once - Cone Peak when we go there next but I'll be more prepared next time around.
Mike
LincolnB - Jul 31, 2011 11:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2011
Mt ManuelThe Mt Manual trail was in good shape for the first couple of miles but after that was in need of serious maintenance. Most of the trail was partially overgrown, with plenty of poison oak mixed in with the rest of the vegetation. Saw one small rattlesnake that made me cautious about charging through spots where I couldn't see my feet. Also numerous slides, slumps and down trees. The last few tenths of a mile -- after the geodetic marker at 3379' -- are completely overgrown; I had to force my way through tall shrubs that covered my skin with sticky residue and denied me any view from the summit.
Overall, though, a great outing. We hiked up through a fog bank and broke out into full sun with fabulous views of the surrounding peaks. My only regret is is that I didn't wear long pants.
Since the local, popular trails near the campsites are still closed due to slides -- Pfeiffer falls and Oak Grove trail -- I wouldn't expect the Mt Manual trail to get maintenance anytime soon.
Kaiyabear - Mar 13, 2011 12:49 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2010
Mt. ManuelThis trail is easy to follow. It is exposed to lots of sunshine as it is on the south side of the mountain and has little shade. Distant views of the Big Sur River and waterfalls below. Nice morning hike to the top. Great Pacific views and pine trees at top. Bring plenty of water.
biz - Jul 29, 2010 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2004
Many timesProbably over a dozen ascents from both Pfeiffer and East Molera. Great views from the summit.
Noondueler - May 31, 2010 11:33 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 1999
From Phieffer trailheadI agree with Matthew Holliman. I hiked a forested trail to a high point with no perspective on what I just hiked. There were some decent views of the high peaks in the Ventana Wilderness. There was some snow too 'cause it was a cold wet winter solstice time.
hauntedbymediocrity - May 9, 2010 5:11 pm Date Climbed: May 8, 2010
Solitude and SunWe did not see one person on the trail today. The vultures were enormous, the trail overgrown, and the views were worth the effort.
SKI - Apr 6, 2010 9:21 am Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2010
With the GirlA pretty hike with great foliage all the way to the top.
WickedRugged - Sep 13, 2007 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Mar 4, 2007
Manuel Peak TrailBegan at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and took the Manuel Peak trail all the way to the top. It was a perfect day, sunny and temperatures in the low 70's. The views along the exposed trail were amazing, including a great view of the Pacific at the top and Ventana Double Cone along the way.
The trail is in poor condition in many places, with a number of downed trees on the wooded segments. It is a tough hike because the first half is all uphill, no flat spots and certainly no decents. One of my favorite things about this hike is that you can see the exposed trail in the distance as you are hiking, which is pretty unique. Definitely worth it!
edevart - Sep 4, 2007 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2007
Rain and FlowersBegan at Pfeiffer Burns in a torrential downpour that chased most hikers off the trails. After an hour the rain had stopped and the sun was out. Magnificent colors and wildflowers. A great hike.
kovarpa - Jun 24, 2007 3:48 pm
trailAll I can remember it was hot and brushy... I think we did this sometime in April 2002....
SFMountaineer - Apr 9, 2007 12:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 7, 2007
Climbed to the top!Climbed the whole 10 miles round trip. Really great climb, definitely hot, but a fantastic view and great mountain, recommend!
QuailBS - Mar 6, 2007 12:20 am Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2007
Manuel Peak towards KandlbinderHit the trail pretty early with Paul Danielson. As we were coming up the switchbacks, the sun rose over pine ridge and it turned out to be a gorgeous day. See trip report for route beyond Manuel Peak.
metasyn11 - Mar 2, 2007 3:19 am Date Climbed: Mar 1, 2007
East Molera Trail -> Post Summit -> Manuel Peak -> Mt Manuel TrailA delightful hike with 1-3" of snow above 3000'. Fantastic winter views along with the first of the wildflowers. Saw a mountain lion on my way up Post Summit!
Frankly45 - Nov 5, 2006 1:37 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2006
Manuel PeakA beautiful day to overlook Big Sur and the ocean
Travis_ - Oct 23, 2006 1:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2006
Beautiful HikeA great hike with my daugter and wife. Seemed to go on and on. It cleared just as we reached the top for a Beuatiful view.
sierramtngoat - Jun 16, 2006 8:43 am Date Climbed: May 12, 2002
Manuel Peak TrailHiked with Maria. The trail seemed quite long an non-direct. We did see some condors in flight however which made it very worth the suffering in extreme heat that day. The summit ridge has very nice views of the ocean.